Managing Medication Side Effects

www.patientedu.org/hiv

Managing Medication Side Effects

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What You Need to Know About Side EffectsSide effects usually happen as your body is getting used to a new drug. Some can last for a few days or up to a few weeks before they begin to go away. It’s important to never stop taking your medication. Instead, give your body a chance to get used to it. Always call your doctor if you think some of the side effects you experience are serious.

Common Side Effects of Anti-HIV MedicationsIn order to treat the side effects you have, you need to first know what they are. If you experience any of the following side effects, they could be caused by the drugs you’re taking for your HIV:

• Fatigue.

• Diarrhea.

• Anemia.

• Headaches.

• Weight loss.

• Rashes.

• Stomach problems (eg, nausea and vomiting, or poor appetite).

Be sure to learn more about each of these side effects and what you can do to make yourself feel better.

P eople with HIV are living longer than ever before thanks in large part to the drugs that have emerged to treat the infection. Medi-

cations like highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other therapies can help keep

people with HIV alive, healthy, and active. With today’s available thera-

pies, many people with HIV can live a normal life span. These drugs, however, may also come with side effects. It’s important to take your

medications as prescribed. If you suffer unpleasant side effects, you’ll need to find a way to help you past them.

There is no cure for HIV, but ART can help maintain your immune system and CD4 cell count, and keep you healthy. Unfortunately, some HIV drugs come with side effects. Some of these can be mild, but others can be unbearable. They can cause you to miss work or school, or even miss a dose. You should avoid missing a dose whenever you

can because it can be dangerous to your health and bring your CD4 count down. Try to make changes to help your body adjust to the medications. If side effects occur, be sure to talk to your doctor about them as they happen.

2 3

What You Need to Know About Side EffectsSide effects usually happen as your body is getting used to a new drug. Some can last for a few days or up to a few weeks before they begin to go away. It’s important to never stop taking your medication. Instead, give your body a chance to get used to it. Always call your doctor if you think some of the side effects you experience are serious.

Common Side Effects of Anti-HIV MedicationsIn order to treat the side effects you have, you need to first know what they are. If you experience any of the following side effects, they could be caused by the drugs you’re taking for your HIV:

• Fatigue.

• Diarrhea.

• Anemia.

• Headaches.

• Weight loss.

• Rashes.

• Stomach problems (eg, nausea and vomiting, or poor appetite).

Be sure to learn more about each of these side effects and what you can do to make yourself feel better.

P eople with HIV are living longer than ever before thanks in large part to the drugs that have emerged to treat the infection. Medi-

cations like highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other therapies can help keep

people with HIV alive, healthy, and active. With today’s available thera-

pies, many people with HIV can live a normal life span. These drugs, however, may also come with side effects. It’s important to take your

medications as prescribed. If you suffer unpleasant side effects, you’ll need to find a way to help you past them.

There is no cure for HIV, but ART can help maintain your immune system and CD4 cell count, and keep you healthy. Unfortunately, some HIV drugs come with side effects. Some of these can be mild, but others can be unbearable. They can cause you to miss work or school, or even miss a dose. You should avoid missing a dose whenever you

can because it can be dangerous to your health and bring your CD4 count down. Try to make changes to help your body adjust to the medications. If side effects occur, be sure to talk to your doctor about them as they happen.

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DiarrheaDiarrhea can cause dehydration, a dangerous side effect if untreated. Dehydration robs your body of its moisture. Over time, this can hurt your body. Diarrhea that isn’t treated can also lead to weight loss. You should talk to your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts longer than 5 days in a row.

What You Can Do About Diarrhea:

• Drink lots of fluids, including broth, water, sports drinks, ginger ale, and stomach- soothing herbal teas.

• Eat foods with nutrients and calories (see the BRAT diet described on page 8 of this brochure).

• Talk to your doctor about anti-diarrhea drugs.

• Add more fiber to your diet. Try fiber drinks or foods like oatmeal.

• Avoid spicy, fatty, starchy, or processed foods. Also avoid caffeine, alcohol, dairy products, or foods that give you gas (eg, beans or broccoli).

Source: State of New York Department of Health. Managing Side Effects of HIV Medications. (www.health.state.ny.us/publications/9408.pdf ).

FatigueFatigue is feeling tired even when you’re getting plenty of rest. Symptoms of fatigue affect the body and mind. You might have a hard time concentrating, or it might be challenging to get up the stairs. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your fatigue because it could be caused by a low amount of red blood cells in your body—a condition called anemia.

What You Can Do About Fatigue:

• Keep a sleep routine and get up at the same time every day. Getting too much sleep can make you tired too.

• Get more exercise, but don’t overdo it. Jogging, swimming, riding a bike, or light weight lifting are good choices.

• Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids. Keep ready-made meals on hand to keep your energy up when you don’t feel like cooking.

• Talk to your doctor about taking vitamins or supplements. They may help boost your energy level.

Sources: National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (www.niaid.nih.gov) and ProjectInform.org

(www.projectinform.org/info/sideeffects/index.shtml).

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DiarrheaDiarrhea can cause dehydration, a dangerous side effect if untreated. Dehydration robs your body of its moisture. Over time, this can hurt your body. Diarrhea that isn’t treated can also lead to weight loss. You should talk to your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts longer than 5 days in a row.

What You Can Do About Diarrhea:

• Drink lots of fluids, including broth, water, sports drinks, ginger ale, and stomach- soothing herbal teas.

• Eat foods with nutrients and calories (see the BRAT diet described on page 8 of this brochure).

• Talk to your doctor about anti-diarrhea drugs.

• Add more fiber to your diet. Try fiber drinks or foods like oatmeal.

• Avoid spicy, fatty, starchy, or processed foods. Also avoid caffeine, alcohol, dairy products, or foods that give you gas (eg, beans or broccoli).


FatigueFatigue is feeling tired even when you’re getting plenty of rest. Symptoms of fatigue affect the body and mind. You might have a hard time concentrating, or it might be challenging to get up the stairs. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your fatigue because it could be caused by a low amount of red blood cells in your body—a condition called anemia.

What You Can Do About Fatigue:

• Keep a sleep routine and get up at the same time every day. Getting too much sleep can make you tired too.

• Get more exercise, but don’t overdo it. Jogging, swimming, riding a bike, or light weight lifting are good choices.

• Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids. Keep ready-made meals on hand to keep your energy up when you don’t feel like cooking.

• Talk to your doctor about taking vitamins or supplements. They may help boost your energy level.



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HeadachesHeadaches can be a side effect of the drugs you take for HIV. However, headaches are commonly caused by the tension and stress which you may deal with in your daily life.

What You Can Do About Headaches:

• Start with over-the-counter pain drugs and by reducing stress.

• Relax to help get rid of your headache faster. Move to a dark, quiet place and close your eyes. Try a warm bath or put a cold washcloth over your eyes. Gently massaging your temples may also help.

• Prevent headaches by breathing deeply in stressful situations. Pay attention to your stomach. If it’s tight, try to relax your stomach muscles.

• Make sure you eat regularly and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid foods that might trigger a headache, like caffeine, red wine, or chocolate.

Sources: National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (www.niaid. nih.gov) and Project Inform.org (www.projectinform.org/info/sideeffects/ index.shtml).

AnemiaYou should ask your doctor to check the amount of red blood cells in your body to find out if fatigue is caused by anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. If you don’t have enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen, you can feel fatigued. HIV, anti-HIV drugs, a woman’s period, and other factors are possible causes of anemia.

What You Can Do About Anemia:

• Have your red blood cell counts checked several times a year.

• Eat foods high in certain nutrients (eg, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid). These include foods like

fish, lean meats and poultry, spinach, asparagus, and other

dark leafy green vegetables.

• Talk to your doctor about treatments for anemia, such as prescription drugs or if you may benefit from taking a new anti-HIV drug.



6 7

HeadachesHeadaches can be a side effect of the drugs you take for HIV. However, headaches are commonly caused by the tension and stress which you may deal with in your daily life.

What You Can Do About Headaches:

• Start with over-the-counter pain drugs and by reducing stress.

• Relax to help get rid of your headache faster. Move to a dark, quiet place and close your eyes. Try a warm bath or put a cold washcloth over your eyes. Gently massaging your temples may also help.

• Prevent headaches by breathing deeply in stressful situations. Pay attention to your stomach. If it’s tight, try to relax your stomach muscles.

• Make sure you eat regularly and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid foods that might trigger a headache, like caffeine, red wine, or chocolate.

Sources: National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (www.niaid. nih.gov) and Project Inform.org (www.projectinform.org/info/sideeffects/ index.shtml).

AnemiaYou should ask your doctor to check the amount of red blood cells in your body to find out if fatigue is caused by anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. If you don’t have enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen, you can feel fatigued. HIV, anti-HIV drugs, a woman’s period, and other factors are possible causes of anemia.

What You Can Do About Anemia:

• Have your red blood cell counts checked several times a year.

• Eat foods high in certain nutrients (eg, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid). These include foods like

fish, lean meats and poultry, spinach, asparagus, and other

dark leafy green vegetables.

• Talk to your doctor about treatments for anemia, such as prescription drugs or if you may benefit from taking a new anti-HIV drug.



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Nausea & VomitingNausea and vomiting can be caused by the drugs you take for your HIV and treatments for related conditions. If you keep vomiting or

if the fear of vomiting stops you from taking your drugs, call your doctor’s office right away.

What You Can Do About Nausea & Vomiting:

• Follow the BRAT diet—eat Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. Also try eating crackers or dry cereal to help settle your stomach.

• Try to avoid hot, spicy, or greasy foods.

• Drink carbonated drinks like ginger ale. Some teas can also calm the stomach, including peppermint or ginger teas.

• Try taking your drugs with food. Or ask your doctor about how to time your medications so that you can avoid upsetting your stomach.

• If you do vomit, drink lots of fluids to hydrate yourself—water, chicken broth, juice, or Jell-O can help.

• Talk to you doctor about the benefits and risks of anti-nausea drugs.

Source: State of New York Department of Health. Managing Side Effects of HIV Medications.

(www.health.state.ny.us/publications/9408.pdf ).

Weight LossWeight loss can be caused by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, a new drug, stress, and other conditions. In HIV, losing weight without changing your diet or getting more exercise can be a sign of wasting syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you are losing weight, even if you know or don’t know the cause.

What You Can Do About Weight Loss:

• Keep track of your weight and when it changes. Try to pinpoint reasons for your weight loss:

- Is it due to a lack of appetite or vomiting?

- Did it begin when you started a new drug?

- Is it related to exercise or stress?

• Eat foods that appeal to you, even when you’re not hungry.

• Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals.

• Avoid foods that fill you up but do not provide enough calories for your body.

• Try adding more protein to your diet. Consider protein shakes or nutritional supplement shakes.

Source: State of New York Department of Health. Managing Side Effects of HIV

Medications. (www.health.state.ny.us/publications/9408.pdf ).

8 9

Nausea & VomitingNausea and vomiting can be caused by the drugs you take for your HIV and treatments for related conditions. If you keep vomiting or

if the fear of vomiting stops you from taking your drugs, call your doctor’s office right away.

What You Can Do About Nausea & Vomiting:

• Follow the BRAT diet—eat Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. Also try eating crackers or dry cereal to help settle your stomach.

• Try to avoid hot, spicy, or greasy foods.

• Drink carbonated drinks like ginger ale. Some teas can also calm the stomach, including peppermint or ginger teas.

• Try taking your drugs with food. Or ask your doctor about how to time your medications so that you can avoid upsetting your stomach.

• If you do vomit, drink lots of fluids to hydrate yourself—water, chicken broth, juice, or Jell-O can help.

• Talk to you doctor about the benefits and risks of anti-nausea drugs.

Source: State of New York Department of Health. Managing Side Effects of HIV Medications.

(www.health.state.ny.us/publications/9408.pdf ).

Weight LossWeight loss can be caused by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, a new drug, stress, and other conditions. In HIV, losing weight without changing your diet or getting more exercise can be a sign of wasting syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you are losing weight, even if you know or don’t know the cause.

What You Can Do About Weight Loss:

• Keep track of your weight and when it changes. Try to pinpoint reasons for your weight loss:

- Is it due to a lack of appetite or vomiting?

- Did it begin when you started a new drug?

- Is it related to exercise or stress?

• Eat foods that appeal to you, even when you’re not hungry.

• Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals.

• Avoid foods that fill you up but do not provide enough calories for your body.

• Try adding more protein to your diet. Consider protein shakes or nutritional supplement shakes.



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RashesRashes can be caused by anti-HIV drugs. Keep an eye on your skin. If you notice an off color or difference in the surface of your skin—especially after starting a new drug—call your doctor.

What You Can Do About Rashes

• Use soaps for sensitive skin and a good, natural moisturizer with aloe vera.

• Ask your doctor about an ointment (prescription or over-the-counter) to lessen the itchiness of rashes.

• Protect the rash from too much sun.

• Avoid hot showers or baths.


What Other Effects Might I Have?Other side effects depend largely on the type of drugs you’re taking. You may experience these other side effects:

• Peripheral neuropathy (a tingling or pain in your hands and feet).

• Damage to your liver, pancreas, or bones.

• Changes in where fat is located on your body.

• Joint or muscle pain.

• Hair loss.

• Dizziness.

• Fever.

• Changes to blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

• Changes in your menstrual cycle.

• Gas, bloating, or stomach pain.

• Depression.

• Kidney stones.

• Trouble sleeping.

• Dry mouth.

No one will have to deal with all of these side effects. But you should know what common reactions other people have had when they have taken the same drugs. Ask your doctor for patient information on each of your specific treatments.

Sources: ProjectInform.org (www.projectinform.org/info/sideeffects/ index.shtml), AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (www. acria.org/files/side-effects.pdf ), and AIDSinfo.gov (http://aidsinfo.nih.

gov/contentfiles/SideEffectAnitHIVMeds_cbrochure_en.pdf ).

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RashesRashes can be caused by anti-HIV drugs. Keep an eye on your skin. If you notice an off color or difference in the surface of your skin—especially after starting a new drug—call your doctor.

What You Can Do About Rashes

• Use soaps for sensitive skin and a good, natural moisturizer with aloe vera.

• Ask your doctor about an ointment (prescription or over-the-counter) to lessen the itchiness of rashes.

• Protect the rash from too much sun.

• Avoid hot showers or baths.


What Other Effects Might I Have?Other side effects depend largely on the type of drugs you’re taking. You may experience these other side effects:

• Peripheral neuropathy (a tingling or pain in your hands and feet).

• Damage to your liver, pancreas, or bones.

• Changes in where fat is located on your body.

• Joint or muscle pain.

• Hair loss.

• Dizziness.

• Fever.

• Changes to blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

• Changes in your menstrual cycle.

• Gas, bloating, or stomach pain.

• Depression.

• Kidney stones.

• Trouble sleeping.

• Dry mouth.

No one will have to deal with all of these side effects. But you should know what common reactions other people have had when they have taken the same drugs. Ask your doctor for patient information on each of your specific treatments.

Sources: ProjectInform.org (www.projectinform.org/info/sideeffects/ index.shtml), AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (www. acria.org/files/side-effects.pdf ), and AIDSinfo.gov (http://aidsinfo.nih.

gov/contentfiles/SideEffectAnitHIVMeds_cbrochure_en.pdf ).

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When to Call Your DoctorCall your doctor if:

• He or she has told you to call if you experience a particular side effect that you have been warned about. It might mean you should stop taking the drug.

• The side effect is making you feel so sick that you think you need to stop taking the drug right away.

• You’re having a side effect that wasn’t listed with the drug information.

• You’re having a side effect that your doctor didn’t explain to you.



NotesSome side effects can last for a few days or up to a few weeks before they begin to go away.

Always call your doctor if you think some of the side effects

you experience are serious.

12 13

When to Call Your DoctorCall your doctor if:

• He or she has told you to call if you experience a particular side effect that you have been warned about. It might mean you should stop taking the drug.

• The side effect is making you feel so sick that you think you need to stop taking the drug right away.

• You’re having a side effect that wasn’t listed with the drug information.

• You’re having a side effect that your doctor didn’t explain to you.



NotesSome side effects can last for a few days or up to a few weeks before they begin to go away.

Always call your doctor if you think some of the side effects

you experience are serious.

The editorial content for this brochure was developed and created solely by the Patient Education Center. The content does not necessarily

represent the opinions and/or views of our advertisers.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this brochure and on the PEC Web site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treat-ment. Neither PEC nor its affiliates or licensors guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness, or completeness of any information and are not responsible for errors or omissions in any consequences arising from the use of the information. The use of the PEC Web site is at the user’s own risk and all information contained therein is subject to change. Mention of a specific product, company, organization, Web site, or URL address, treatment, therapy, or any other topic does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by PEC, its affiliates, or its licensors.

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Managing Medication Side Effects